Barrel



(No Model.)

. BARREL.

Patented Feb. 28, 1882.

Fig.1.

U rTLED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIS B. MCCORMICK, OF iVVEIMAR, TEXAS.

BARREL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,228, dated February 28, 1882.

Application filed December 30, 1881. (No model.) 7

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIs B, MCCORMICK,

. of Weimar, in the couh ty of Colorado and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Barrels; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side view. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. 3 is an end view; and Fig. 4 is a section on the line as m, Fig. 2.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters of reference.

This invention relates to ventilated barrels for the shipment of fruits, vegetables, -meat, and other articles which, in order to remain fresh and in good condition, should be exposed to free access and circulation of air; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of said barrels, which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents the body of my improved barrel, which is composed, in the usual manner, of staves B B, bound together by hoops C. The sides of the staves are recessed, as shown, so as to leave longitudinalopenings or slits D D in the body of the barrel, between the middle and the ends of the same. The heads E of the barrel are likewise provided with slits or openings F, as shown.

Gr is 'a disk or diaphragm secured centrally in the barrel-body at its widest or most bulging portion by means of keys H, of iron or other suitable metal, driven betweenthe inside of the barrel and the-edge of said disk or diaphragm, which is thereby held firmly in position. The keys or wedges H may be provided with slots I, enabling their lower ends to be bent under the disk G, which is thereby held more securely, while displacement of the said keys or wedges becomes impossible. The disk or diaphragm G is provided with slits or openings J for the passage ofair.

The operation of my invention and its adlower half .of thebarrel from the crushing pressure of those packed in the upper half.

The disk or diaphragm G being slotted, as shown, permits the air to pass longitudinally through the barrel, the contents of which arethus much more thoroughly ventilated than would be the case ifthesa-iddisk ordiaphragm were imperforate, as has heretofore been used.

It will also be observed that by themethod herein shown of securing the disk G in position by means of the Wedges Han open space, S, is left between the edge of said disk or diaphragm and the inside ofthe barrel, which very much facilitates the passage of air, and thereby assists the preservation of the articles packed in the barrel. My improved barrel, furthermore, is simple, inexpensive, and may be readily knocked down for shipment.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States The herein-described barrel having slotted sides and ends, and provided with a slotted diaphragm secured in place by meansof wedges, so that an open space, S, shall be left between the edge of said diaphragm and the inside of the barrel, substantially as described, for the purpose set forth.

' In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own 1 have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIS B. McUORMIOK. Witnesses:

O. S. TATUM,

JOHN H. FISHER. 

